118 FARM BUILDINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA 



From a 9" by 3" deal, five 3" by 1£" scantlings can be sawn. 

 These are useful for light framework. 



A 3" by 1^" scantling can be cut so as to produce two 1|" by 1^" 

 pieces. These are used for thatching laths and lighter framework. 



By sawing a 9" by 3" deal parallel to its broad faces two 9" by 1±", 

 or three 9" by f " planks can be obtained. 



Other scantlings, sawn from 9" by 3" deals, which are in common 

 use, are the 6" by 3" and the 6" by 1^". The former is used for posts, 

 e.g. heel-posts for horse-stall divisions, and the latter for roof trusses 

 and rafters. 



Besides being imported in the form of 9" by 3" deals, soft wood is 

 also brought to this country ready finished as skirting boards, fascia 

 boards, architraves, cornices, picture rails, etc., and as tongued and 

 grooved flooring and ceiling boards. The common size of flooring 

 board is 6" by £" and of ceiling board 6" by £", though narrower 

 boards are used for superior work. 



12" by 1" shelving boards are also imported. The principal use 

 made of these is as indicated by the name. 



Boards of clear pine 1 foot wide by £" 1", !)/', and 2" thick are 

 imported. They are cut from specially selected timber, and are com- 

 paratively free from knots, and therefore suitable for special work, 

 furniture, etc. 



Poplar. — Poplar from North America is used for furniture. It is, 

 however, liable to split and warp, especially in warm, dry districts 

 where, perhaps, clear pine is to be preferred. 



Hardwoods. — Hardwoods are not much used in farm buildings. In 

 superior buildings, door, and window sills are made of oak or teak. 

 Jarra is used to some extent, e.g., as beams, and fencing and gate posts. 



Tree Planting. — While there are certain portions of South Africa 

 which can never produce commercial timber profitably, e.g. the Karroo, -the 

 Southern and Western Orange Free State, and much of the Western 

 Transvaal, there are still many parts in which such timber will succeed. 

 Care should be taken to select, for planting, those trees which are 

 best suited to local conditions of soil, climate, etc. 



A few reasons why a farmer should plant trees are appended : — 



1. If planted so as to form wind-breaks, they tend to diminish 

 the evaporation of moisture from cultivated lands, and in 

 this way lessen the evils of drought. 



